As the New York Giants enter the John Harbaugh era, sweeping changes have already fallen over the organization.
He’s cut ties with almost every assistant from former head coach Brian Daboll’s staff, except for linebackers coach Charlie Bullen and tight ends coach Tim Kelly, according to the New York Post’s Paul Schwartz.
In the front office, Harbaugh clearly has a lot of say in personnel, and the partnership with general manager Joe Schoen will be one to watch as they enter their first offseason together.
ESPN’s Jordan Raanan wrote that Harbaugh is expected to have “the stronger voice” within the Giants’ new organizational structure, which could mean the former Baltimore Ravens head coach could shape the roster how he pleases over the next few months.
That could include shipping out former failed Schoen draft picks.
Deonte Banks Named Trade Candidate by PFF
Pro Football Focus’s Bradley Locker released a list of the top trade candidates across the NFL entering the 2026 offseason, and New York Giants cornerback Deonte Banks was tabbed as a player to keep an eye on in the trade market.
Banks, the 24th overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, has not lived up to expectations since being selected by Big Blue.
“When New York picked Banks in the 2023 first round, pundits expected that they had landed a lockdown cornerback; instead, he’s been the inverse. Among cornerbacks to play 2,000 or more snaps over the last three seasons, Banks owns the worst overall PFF grade (43.8) with the third-highest passer rating when targeted (110.9),” wrote Locker.
“Schoen invested $54 million in Paulson Adebo last offseason, but the Giants concluded this past year 26th in overall grade at corner. Cutting ties with the 24-year-old Banks in the hopes of adding a better player feels shrewd.”
No one is 100% sure exactly what defensive scheme Harbaugh will be bringing with him to New York, but it’s safe to say it will at least be similar to what he deployed in Baltimore.
That means a heavy dosage of man coverage. The Ravens used the sixth-highest man-coverage percentage in the league last year at 38.9%, per the team website.
If that holds true with the Giants, Banks will be an even further liability in coverage, likely signaling his tenure in New York could be coming to an end this offseason.
Does Deonte Banks Have Trade Value?
While Banks is listed as a potential trade candidate, the unfortunate reality is that the former New York Giants draft pick likely has little to no trade value.
Entering the final year of his rookie deal, the Giants may just have to outright cut the former Schoen draft pick just to get the cornerback off the books.
Sports Illustrated’s Stephen Lebitsch pointed to Banks’ poor play and penalty habits as another reason why New York is better off just cutting ties.
“The same concerns about growth and effort have arisen from his tendency to draw penalties as well. Banks was the second-most penalized player in the Giants’ secondary, drawing 7 yellow flags, and has accumulated 21 total penalties over his first three years, which have consistently hurt the team in big spots,” wrote Lebitsch.
If the Giants can net a day-three pick for Banks’ services this offseason, that would pretty much count as a win.
But it’s a far fall for a player who was expected to make a bigger impact as a first-round pick.
Giants Recent First-Round Pick Named Trade Candidate Entering Harbaugh Era